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Review: Sandler, Aniston reteam in ‘Murder Mystery 2’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

You would have a hard time defending the limp plotting, the bland action-adventure set pieces or the Agatha Christie-light whodunit twists of the first “Murder Mystery.” And, yet, it was kind of good. “Murder Mystery,” one of Netflix’s most-streamed films, was chock full of exotic settings and mysterious murders. But the only thing that mattered, really, was the banter between Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. Though “Murder Mystery” could be said to epitomize that very modern kind of passive and painless viewing experience on streaming platforms, their married couple was a throwback to a long-ago movie era. Audrey and Nick Spitz, a pair of working-class New Yorkers turned semi-amateur detectives, might as well be Nick and Nora Charles, the 1930s cocktail-swilling crime solvers. “Murder Mystery” and its new sequel don’t have anywhere near the sparkle of the “The Thin Man” movies, with William Powell, Myrna Loy and their wire fox terrier Asta. But like those films, every...

UN nuclear chief to focus on proposing safety measures around nuclear plant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog visited Ukraine's embattled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant on Wednesday (29 March) and said he was putting aside plans for a security zone around the facility so he could propose specific protection measures acceptable to both Moscow and Kyiv.Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, had been pushing for a demilitarised zone at the Russian-held power station, Europe's largest nuclear facility, which has come under repeated shelling.Grossi, who visited the plant for the second time in less than seven months on Wednesday, told Russian reporters that the situation was not improving. A recording of the briefing was made available.The IAEA head did not name specific safety measures that could be proposed. Russia said in February that it was close to completing construction of protective structures for key parts of Zaporizhzhia, including storage of radioactive materials.Russian troops seized the facility more than a year ago at the sta...

The five most expensive homes reported sold in Hayward in the week of March 20

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

A house in Hayward that sold for $1.1 million tops the list of the most expensive real estate sales in Hayward in the past three weeks.In total, 5 real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past three weeks, with an average price of $781,000. The average price per square foot ended up at $475.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded from the week of February 27 to the week of March 27 even if the property may have been sold earlier.5. $500,000, single-family house in the 20400 block of Meekland AvenueThe 982 square-foot single-family home in the 20400 block of Meekland Avenue, Hayward, has now been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in February and the total purchase price was $500,000, $509 per square foot. The house was built in 1943. The house features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms.Meekland Avenue4. $585,000, condominium in the 25900 block of Hayward BoulevardThe property in the 25900 block of Hayward Boulevard in Haywa...

Lawyer for Reeva Steenkamp’s parents says they will oppose parole for Oscar Pistorius

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Lawyer for Reeva Steenkamp’s parents says they will oppose parole for Oscar Pistorius.Source

Finland’s NATO membership: What’s next?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

HELSINKI (AP) — Finland received the green light to join NATO when Turkey ratified the Nordic country’s membership late Thursday, becoming the last country in the 30-member Western military alliance to sign off. All NATO members must vote unanimously to admit a new country. into the alliance. The decision by the Turkish parliament followed Hungary’s ratification of Finland’s bid earlier in the week. The addition of Finland, which shares a 1,340 kilometer (832 miles) border with Russia, will more than double the size of NATO’s border with Russia. However, a few more steps and procedures are required before the northern European nation becomes the 31st full NATO member: ACCEPTANCE LETTERSTurkey and Hungary dispatch acceptance letters to the United States which is the depositary, or safekeeper, of NATO under the alliance’s 1949 founding treaty. The letters will be filed in the archives of the U.S. State Department, which will notify NATO Secretary-General Jens S...

UConn Huskies take on the Miami Hurricanes in Final 4

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

Miami Hurricanes (29-7, 15-5 ACC) vs. UConn Huskies (29-8, 13-7 Big East)Houston; Saturday, 8:49 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: UConn -5.5; over/under is 149.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 10 UConn Huskies and No. 16 Miami Hurricanes meet in the NCAA Tournament Final Four.The Huskies have gone 13-7 against Big East opponents, with a 16-1 record in non-conference play. UConn is 0-4 in one-possession games.The Hurricanes’ record in ACC games is 15-5. Miami (FL) has a 5-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Adama Sanogo is scoring 17.1 points per game and averaging 7.5 rebounds for the Huskies. Jordan Hawkins is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for UConn.Isaiah Wong is averaging 16.2 points and 3.2 assists for the Hurricanes. Jordan Miller is averaging 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds over the past 10 games for Miami (FL).LAST 10 GAMES: Huskies: 9-1, averaging 80.9 points, 36.6 rebounds, 19.2 assists, 5.4 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while sh...

San Diego State Aztecs face the Florida Atlantic Owls in Final 4

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

Florida Atlantic Owls (35-3, 18-2 C-USA) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (31-6, 15-3 MWC)Houston; Saturday, 6:09 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: San Diego State -3; over/under is 131.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 18 San Diego State Aztecs take on the No. 25 Florida Atlantic Owls in the NCAA Tournament Final Four.The Aztecs have gone 15-3 against MWC opponents, with a 16-3 record in non-conference play. San Diego State is third in the MWC in rebounding with 33.4 rebounds. Nathan Mensah leads the Aztecs with 5.9 boards.The Owls are 18-2 in C-USA play. Florida Atlantic has a 5-0 record in one-possession games.TOP PERFORMERS: Adam Seiko averages 1.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, scoring 6.1 points while shooting 46.1% from beyond the arc. Matt Bradley is shooting 36.0% and averaging 11.0 points over the last 10 games for San Diego State.Johnell Davis is scoring 13.9 points per game with 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists for the Owls. Alijah Martin is averaging 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds wh...

Spain: Easter procession events a ‘yearlong’ operation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

ELCHE, Spain (AP) — Spain is getting ready for one of its most revered holiday periods of the year: Easter Week, which means thousands of colorful and noisy religious street processions that draw multitudes onto the streets to watch. The central pieces of the processions are the richly decorated gigantic floats bearing sculptures of Jesus or the Virgin and often weighing up to a ton or more. The ceremonies see brotherhoods of “nazarenos,” or penitents, with tall conical hats, monkish robes and hoods carrying or escorting the magnificent carriages through ancient streets of cities and towns nationwide.While the processions take place over just a handful of days, preparations are a year-round affair and involve a wide range of small, sometimes family-run businesses. The artisans are responsible for producing all the regalia, from conical hats and huge candles to palm leaf bouquets. There are also workshops in charge of the conservation of religious sculptures, their dresses and adorni...

Marlins begin season at home against the Mets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

New York Mets vs. Miami MarlinsMiami; Friday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: David Peterson (0-0); Marlins: Jesus Luzardo (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -119, Marlins -100; over/under is 7 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins start the season at home against the New York Mets.Miami had a 69-93 record overall and a 34-47 record at home last season. The Marlins averaged 2.5 extra base hits per game, including 0.9 home runs.New York had a 101-61 record overall and a 47-34 record in road games last season. The Mets scored 4.8 runs per game while giving up 3.7 last season.INJURIES: Marlins: Max Meyer: 60-Day IL (elbow), Nic Enright: 15-Day IL (illness), Steven Okert: 15-Day IL (adductor), Tommy Nance: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Anthony Bender: 60-Day IL (elbow)Mets: Stephen Ridings: 15-Day IL (lat), Edwin Diaz: 60-Day IL (knee), Elieser Hernandez: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Jose Quintana: 15-Day IL (rib), Bryce Montes de Oca: 15-Day IL (elbow), Sam Coonrod: 15-Day IL (lat)___The ...

Rockies visit the Padres for season opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:32 GMT

Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego PadresSan Diego; Friday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Kyle Freeland (0-0); Padres: Nick Martinez (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -186, Rockies +158; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres host the Colorado Rockies for the season opener.San Diego had an 89-73 record overall and a 44-37 record at home last season. The Padres pitching staff had a collective 3.82 ERA last season while averaging 9.1 strikeouts and 2.9 walks per nine innings.Colorado went 68-94 overall and 27-54 in road games a season ago. The Rockies scored 4.3 runs per game in the 2022 season while giving up 5.4.INJURIES: Padres: Joe Musgrove: 15-Day IL (toe), Robert Suarez: 15-Day IL (elbow), Adam Engel: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Adrian Morejon: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Castillo: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Drew Pomeranz: 15-Day IL (elbow/flexor), Eguy Rosario: 60-Day IL (ankle)Rockies: Daniel Bard: 15-Day IL (anxiety), Randal Grichuk: 10-Day IL (hernia), Antoni...